Penn State completes 2018 class; Nittany Lions assistant focusing on state of Florida

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Signing Day success

Penn State’s strong recruiting effort paid off on National Signing Day when offensive lineman Rasheed Walker chose the Nittany Lions over Ohio State.

One player Penn State couldn’t land however was wide receiver Solomon Enis, whose father Curtis starred at Penn State. Enis chose Utah over the Nittany Lions and others, filling a huge need for the Utes, writes Lynn Worthy of the Salt Lake Tribune.

Still, the future is bright especially with this collectiong of talent.

Another level

Penn State made waves nationally with this current recruiting class. In addition to ESPN ranking the Nittany Lions in its top five, 247Sports also said it was a top-five effort for Franklin and company.

Not in the plans

Shaquon Anderson-Butts, who had been a Penn State commit for over a year, will not be part of the 2018 class.

Anderson-Butts, the Harrisburg, Pa., wide receiver and high school teammate of current Nittany Lions prize Micah Parsons, instead signed with Iowa Western Community College, where he will play football and perhaps at some point work his way back to a FBS program. Greg Pickel of Pennlive writes that Anderson-Butts is listed as a two-way player, both receiver and defensive back.

Head south

Ja’Juan Seider knew what his role would be when he joined Franklin’s staff from Florida. His official title is running backs coach, but the loss of top recruiter Josh Gattis to Alabama has made Seider’s role with the Nittany Lions all the more important.

“[Seider] is going to get us into some doors because of his relationships and his reputation that maybe we weren’t involved in before,” Franklin said. “Now, you combine us finishing in the top 10 the last two years with Ja’Juan’s relationships down there, and I think we can continue to make some progress.”

Penn State has one player from Florida in it’s new class, and one from Texas, but Seider’s ties to Florida run deep as he coached at three different high schools in the state before stints on West Virginia’s and Florida’s staffs.